Who we are
School Chaplaincy ACT is the leading provider of School Chaplains in the Territory. Through positive and supportive relationships, School Chaplaincy ACT aims to help young people with everyday life issues, as well as the more critical ones like substance abuse, relationship issues, family breakdown, stress, anxiety and low self-esteem.
What do chaplains do?
School Chaplaincy ACT chaplains provide spiritual and emotional support to school communities. They are in the prevention and support business: helping students find a better way to deal with issues ranging from family breakdown and loneliness to drug abuse, stress and anxiety. They provide a listening ear and a caring presence for kids in crisis and those who just need a friend. They also provide support for staff and parents in school communities.
Why do we need chaplains?
Our teenagers have their own unique issues. Teenage abortion rates are too high. Teenagers are binge drinking more than ever. More young people today are self-harming. Too many young people are experiencing mental health problems. (See statistics)
At certain times in their lives, children and young people of all ages will feel lonely, hopeless, confused, misunderstood and helpless. In all of these times, the guidance of a mature, caring and supportive adult can greatly assist a child’s capacity to cope.
The authors of The Millennial Adolescent (ACER Press, 2007), N Bahr and D Pendergast, have stated: “People who have had a strong connection with a strong positive role model during adolescence are much more resilient throughout their life.”
More than ever, our children and young people need positive role models and strong values. As adults, we want our kids to develop skills and strategies to break negative cycles in their lives.